“Energetic, dramatic and visually impressive, this is an anime classic”

FILM4.COM

Ninja Scroll

On Blu-Ray 26 Nov 2012

Fast sell:

Anime classic Ninja Scroll comes to Blu-ray for the first time ever! Available in a limited edition Double Play Blu-ray/DVD Steelbook as well as separately on Blu-ray and DVD, Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s wonderfully animated 1993 masterpiece sets the bar for ninja action, as wandering swordsman Jubei and female ninja Kagero carve their way through a host of super-powered bad guys. Gory, visceral and still shocking after nearly two decades, Ninja Scroll demands a place on any anime fan’s shelf.

Key talent:

Written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Wicked City, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust), Ninja Scroll is made by veteran animation studio Madhouse, whose long list of credits include acclaimed movies such as Summer Wars, Paprika, The Girl Who Lept Through Time and Perfect Blue as well as series like Death Note and Black Lagoon.

Synopsis:

Set during Japan’s Tokugawa period, Ninja Scroll opens with female ninja Kagero – the sole survivor of a squad sent to investigate a plagued village – at the mercy of Tessai, a monster of a man who can turn his skin to stone. Rescued by wandering ronin Jubei Kibagami, the pair discover from shady shogunate spy Dakuan that Tessai is one of the Eight Devils of Kimon – a band of super ninja apparently led by Jubei’s old nemesis Himuro Genma, whom he insists that he killed years ago.

Tricked into helping Kagero and Dakuan take down the Eight Devils, expert swordsman Jubei must push his finely-honed fighting skills to the limit if he is to defeat his deadly adversaries, who include shadow assassin Shijima, blind warrior Utsutsu, explosives specialist Zakuro and, of course, the evil Himuro Genma himself. Pitted against such merciless foes, only one thing is certain; Jubei Kibagami must kill or be killed.

We like it because:

Along with Akira and Ghost In The Shell, Ninja Scroll was one of the key titles that opened the West’s eyes to what anime could achieve. Stunningly animated and shockingly violent, Ninja Scroll combines sex, death, action, intrigue and copious fountains of blood to create an all-time anime classic.

Hot Quotes:

“Energetic, dramatic and visually impressive, this is an anime classic” – FILM4.COM

“visually stunning” NEO MAGAZINE

“”visceral and inventive” SFX MAGAZINE

“One of the jewels in the Studio Madhouse crown, Ninja Scroll is beautifully animated.”

ANIMENEWSNETWORK.COM

“Any anime enthusiast who doesn’t rank Ninja Scroll as one of the most stunning animated features

of all time should turn in their membership card.” JAPANCINEMA.NET

“The art and animation of Ninja Scroll are astounding” THEMANIME.ORG

“For great martial arts action, Ninja Scroll is probably the best of its genre.” ANIMECRITIC.COM

Special Features:

20 Page Ninja Scroll Booklet (Steelbook only)

Exclusive Director Commentary

Trailer and TV Spot

Editor’s Notes:

Ninja Scroll’s main character Jubei is an homage to Japanese folk hero Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi, a mysterious samurai whose life and swordsmanship have been romanticised in popular fiction.

During the 1990s, Ninja Scroll was one of the most popular feature-length anime outside Japan, ranking with Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira and Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost In The Shell in terms of influence.

The success of the Ninja Scroll movie spawned a 13 episode TV series directed by Tatsuo Sato back in 2003. Although an official cinematic sequel was announced in 2005, no release date has been given.